Political rumble over Haj subsidy roll-back deepens

By

NewsX Bureau

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Updated

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8 October 2017

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10:55 PM

Since the times of Balban and the Delhi sultanate, Muslims from India have been travelling to Mecca and Medina for the Haj, a pious duty. They come back as Hajis, a respected term. For Hindus, the Char Dham Yatra from Badrinath onto Dwarka and Rameswaram is supposed to be great significance and a must do once in lifetime. For decades, the government of India has been subsidising Haj yatras to the tune of a 1,000 crores an year. In 2012, the Supreme Court mandated that these subsidies be phased out within 10 years. The NDA says the money saved will be invested in education for young Muslims. But the debate is not over. Critics question the hundreds of crores spent by state governments in organising facilities for the kumbh mela to Amarnath and the Kanwariyas. What is acceptable for a secular state to be spending on purely pious activities that should be borne privately? Beyond providing security, what’s fair and what can be better spent elsewhere. We have that conversation, here’s what’s we are discussing.